Research Vessel Lake Guardian

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EPA researches and monitors the Great Lakes in its ship, the Research Vessel (R/V) Lake Guardian.

The Lake Guardian goes out twice a year on surveys (spring and summer). Scientists conduct research on the Lake Guardian. Monitoring programs sample the water, aquatic life, sediments and air to assess the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Lake Guardian is a vessel of opportunity for emergency response exercises with the US Coast Guard and others.

Research Vessel Lake Guardian on the water. See more Lake Guardian photos:

Conduct research on board the Lake Guardian

During monitoring surveys EPA offers the Lake Guardian as a ship of opportunity to scientists from federal and state government and and universities. We especially encourage research compatible with the standard sampling performed at each station (i.e., simple water and/or plankton samples which can be subsequently processed and analyzed).